About this fund

Robeco European High Yield Bonds invests in bonds with a sub-investment grade rating, issued primarily by European and US issuers denominated in Euro. The selection of these bonds is based on fundamental analysis. The portfolio is broadly diversified, with a structural bias to the higher rated part in high yield (BB/B). Performance drivers are the top-down beta positioning as well as bottom-up issuer selection.

The value of the investments may fluctuate. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.Annualized (for periods longer than one year).Cumulized (total amount of return).Performances are gross of fees and based on closing values. In reality, costs (such as management fees and other costs) are charged. These have a negative effect on the returns shown.Performances are net of fees and based on transaction prices.

Fund

Reference index

The value of the investments may fluctuate. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.Annualized (for periods longer than one year).Cumulized (total amount of return).Performances are gross of fees and based on closing values. In reality, costs (such as management fees and other costs) are charged. These have a negative effect on the returns shown.Performances are net of fees and based on transaction prices.

Performance explanation

Based on transaction prices, the fund's return was 1.04%. The fund outperformed the index on a gross performance basis. Total returns were positive but mainly driven by the rally in underlying Bunds. Our quality bias made a flat contribution to this month’s results. BBs, Bs and CCCs all had an in-line performance on a risk adjusted basis. On an issuer level, the biggest contributor was not holding Thomas Cook, which added 6 bps. Bonds dropped another 10 points and a restructuring of the capital structure seems almost certain. We benefited from our overweight in Tenneco, even if all automotive suppliers have seen headwinds on the back of uncertainties regarding the US-China trade. Moody’s reconfirmed Tenneco’s rating which led to a small relief rally, which added 4 bps to our relative performance. Not holding French supermarket chain Casino was the largest detractor this month with -8 bps. The bonds had an uplift after a new ‘wealthy’ shareholder stepped in with a low single-digit equity stake. There is no fresh equity or new money involved in this transaction, which tells us that the positive reaction in bond prices feels a little bit overdone. We stay underweight for now but keep monitoring the issuer closely.

Market development

European high yield total returns were broadly positive in August as elevated macro volatility pushed spreads more or less sideways but underlying Bund yields lower. Main drivers behind the macro volatility were the increased trade tensions between US and China and slowing global growth figures. A clear example of slowing growth was the US manufacturing PMI contracting to 49.9 for the first time in ten years. In Europe the attention was additionally focused on weak earnings growth reported over the second quarter, in particular for companies in cyclical sectors. From a European political standpoint we see risks arising from a no-deal Brexit and uncertainties surrounding the Italian government. Central banks’ sentiment on both sides of the ocean remained unaffected. The market is still awaiting a more accommodative policy, either via lower rates or via QE. The high yield market was still benefiting from lackluster supply, especially in the last two weeks of August. Fund flows flipped back to positive again, strengthening this technical. The European high yield index spread tightened 8 bps and is now around 346 bps, with a yield of 2.76%.

Currency policy

Derivative policy

Robeco European High Yield Bonds make use of derivatives for hedging purposes as well as for investment purposes. These derivatives are very liquid.

Dividend policy

The fund does not distribute dividend. The income earned by the fund is reflected in its share price. The fund's entire result is thus reflected in its share price development.

ESG Integration policy

Our analysis of issuers goes beyond the traditional financial factors and includes the issuers’ performance on ESG factors. We deem it essential for a well-informed investment decision to take into account those ESG factors that have the potential to materially impact the financial performance of the issuer. This perfectly matches the basic need to avoid the losers in credit management, as many credit events in the past can be attributed to issues such as poorly designed governance frameworks, environmental issues, or weak health & safety standards. The aim of ESG integration is to improve the risk/return profile of the investments and does not have an impact goal. ESG analysis is fully integrated in the bottom-up security analysis. We have defined key ESG factors per industry, and for every company we analyze how the firm is positioned versus these key ESG factors, and how this impacts the fundamental credit quality.

Investment policy

Robeco European High Yield Bonds invests in bonds with a sub-investment grade rating, issued by European issuers. The portfolio is broadly diversified across approx. 80 issuers, with a structural bias to the higher rated part in high yield (BB/B). Performance drivers are the top-down beta positioning as well as bottom-up issuer selection. Duration of the portfolio is managed in line with the index and currency exposure is hedged. The fund aims to outperform its index Barclays Pan European High Yield ex Financials 2.5% Issuer Cap. The index excludes high yield financials based on relatively high systematic risk, and applies an issuer cap to avoid concentration risk. The investment philosophy is based on managing a solid diversified portfolio with a long term view. Top-down beta positioning is based on the outcome of our credit quarterly outlook meeting, in which the team is discussing the fundamental market outlook, valuation of bond markets and market technicals. Bottom-up issuer research is executed by our credit analysts, who execute the fundamental analysis. The portfolio managers are responsible for the portfolio construction. A proprietary developed risk management approach avoids high risk concentration in the portfolio. The Robeco European High Yield fund is managed by our credit team which consists of seven portfolio managers and twelve credit analysts. Within the team, Sander Bus and Roeland Moraal are responsible for high yield. Sander has been involved in the fund since inception in 1998, Roeland joined in 2003. The portfolio managers are responsible for the construction and management of the credit portfolios, whereas the analysts cover the team's fundamental research.

Expectation of fund manager

It is clear to us that deglobalization is under way. This is a secular trend fueled by widespread populism, which will cause trade tariffs to rise for the first time in 40 years. In the medium term, this will put pressure on the advantage of cheap outsourced labor (China), ultimately eroding record-high margins. Another secular trend is the development of a less economically favorable demographic backdrop, changing established trends in saving and investment. Finally, the bursting of the debt super cycle 12 years ago is the main ongoing reason for cautious household sector behavior and the consequent impotence of traditional monetary policy. Our research illustrates that there is typically a short period of time after the first rate cut where credit performs well, a ‘sugar rush’ if you will. Furthermore, we are having to cope with a cyclical slowdown in growth, more frequent mini spread cycles driven by lack of liquidity and central bank interventions due to fading inflation. Overall, our view is cautious as the cycle is late and valuations are tight. However, we know it is wise not to fight the Fed or the ECB. We focus on avoiding defaults, we continue to favor high-quality high yield.

Roeland Moraal, Sander Bus

Roeland Moraal, Sander Bus

Mr. Roeland Moraal, Vice President, CEFA, Portfolio Manager. Roeland is a Senior Portfolio Manager High Yield within Robeco's Credit team since January 2004. Before assuming this role, he was portfolio manager in our Rates team for two years and worked as an analyst with the Institute for Research and Investment Services for three years. Roeland started his career in the investment industry in 1997 at Robeco. He holds a Master's degree in applied mathematics from the University of Twente and a Master's degree in Law from Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Roeland became a CEFA charter holder in 2000 and he is registered with the Dutch Securities Institute. Mr. Bus is Head of the Credit team and manages our high yield portfolios. Prior to joining Robeco in 1998, Mr. Bus worked for Rabobank as a fixed income analyst for two years. Mr. Bus holds a Master's degree in Financial Economics from Erasmus University, Rotterdam. He became a CFA charter holder in 2003 and is registered with the Dutch Securities Institute. Mr. Bus has been active in the industry since 1996.

Team

The Robeco European High Yield fund is managed within Robeco’s credit team, which consists of nine portfolio managers and twenty-three credit analysts. The portfolio managers are responsible for the construction and management of the credit portfolios, whereas the analysts cover the team’s fundamental research. Our analysts have long term experience in their respective sectors which they cover globally. Each analyst covers both investment grade and high yield, providing them an information advantage and benefiting from inefficiencies that traditionally exist between the two segmented markets. Furthermore, the credit team is supported by three dedicated quantitative researchers and four fixed income traders. On average, the members of the credit team have an experience in the asset management industry of seventeen years, of which eight years with Robeco.

Cost of this fund

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Fiscal product treatment

The fund is established in Luxembourg and is subject to the Luxembourg tax laws and regulations. The fund is not liable to pay any corporation, income, dividend or capital gains tax in Luxembourg. The fund is subject to an annual subscription tax ('tax d'abonnement') in Luxembourg, which amounts to 0.05% of the net asset value of the fund. This tax is included in the net asset value of the fund. The fund can in principle use the Luxembourg treaty network to partially recover any withholding tax on its income.

Fiscal treatment of investor

The fiscal consequences of investing in this fund depend on the investor's personal situation. For private investors in the Netherlands real interest and dividend income or capital gains received on their investments are not relevant for tax purposes. Each year investors pay income tax on the value of their net assets as at 1 January if and inasmuch as such net assets exceed the investor’s tax-free allowance. Any amount invested in the fund forms part of the investor's net assets. Private investors who are resident outside the Netherlands will not be taxed in the Netherlands on their investments in the fund. However, such investors may be taxed in their country of residence on any income from an investment in this fund based on the applicable national fiscal laws. Other fiscal rules apply to legal entities or professional investors. We advise investors to consult their financial or tax adviser about the tax consequences of an investment in this fund in their specific circumstances before deciding to invest in the fund.

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